Tri-Valley's strategic plan

During the 1999-2000 fiscal year, Tri-Valley Developmental Services created a strategic plan to move the agency into the future.

The time is right to take those plans to the next level, with a new strategic plan.

Committing our ideals, plans and dreams to paper helps to clearly define and establish realistic goals and objectives in keeping with the mission of the agency.

Strategic plans help an entity stay focused while establishing a framework to deal with unforeseen challenges.

I enjoy working under a strategic plan and have been involved in the creation of several for other social service agencies. In the past few weeks, I have begun the process of creating a strategic plan for Tri-Valley Developmental Services.

My goals are to:

* Ensure the most effective use is made of the organization's resources by focusing those resources on key priorities.

* Establish realistic goals and objectives consistent with the mission of the organization and appropriate for the organization's capacity for implementation.

* Communicate those goals and objectives to the organization's constituents, including clients, parents, guardians, staff, board members, the communities we serve, and governmental agencies.

* Develop a sense of ownership of the plan.

* Build a consensus about where Tri-Valley is going in the future.

* Provide a base from which progress can be measured and establish a mechanism for informed change.

Strategic plans provide a clear focus for an organization, producing more efficiency and effectiveness and building strong teams of all stakeholders.

As these groups work together to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the agency, all will gain new appreciation for and an understanding of Tri-Valley and its place in the future of Southeast Kansas, as well as the state.

As individual assessments, interests and priorities mesh into a common vision, the agency will see increased productivity and stakeholders will know great satisfaction and excitement as the agency moves forward to a clearly defined purpose.

The first step in the process is gaining approval from the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation and Tri-Valley Board of Directors. The Foundation board gave their enthusiastic support for the process at its September meeting. The plan will be presented to the TVDS Board of Directors during its October meeting.

The next step will be the appointment of a committee to oversee the process and ensure that all involved parties have input and a sense of ownership for the plan.

Stakeholders will also be surveyed with the goal of gaining their views on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the agency.

The above steps have already begun, and staff members will soon be asked to give their input on the operation and future of the agency through a strategic assessment survey. That tool is currently being fine-tuned and will be distributed to staff in October.

We are well on our way to the creation of a strategic plan, and I welcome the participation of community members who would like to be involved in the process. Anyone interested in joining the committee may call me at (620) 431-7401, extension 209.

While Tri-Valley has garnered respect across Kansas for its innovative programs and services for citizens with developmental disabilities, and especially its dedicated, knowledgeable staff, progress is essential for any organization to thrive.

It will be exciting and exhilarating to see how a strategic plan adds to our growth and development in the future.